Fuente : UEFA (English)
http://www.uefa.com/

Football Europe: Rivals face new-season Blues

/noticias.info/ Defending the championship crown is not as easy in England as it might be in other countries. Manchester United FC have managed it four times since the Premiership began but three attempts by Arsenal FC have ended in failure. Such was the strength of Chelsea FC last season, however, and such is the calibre of their summer signings, that it will be something of a surprise if José Mourinho's men are not showering themselves in celebratory champagne again next May.

New players
After winning the title for the first time in 50 years, Chelsea have recruited the exciting winger Shaun Wright-Phillips from Manchester City FC for €30.4m and left-back Asier del Horno from Athletic Club Bilbao while Hernán Crespo has returned after a successful loan at AC Milan. At the same time it is inconceivable to imagine that Frank Lampard, John Terry, Petr Cech and Claude Makelele will be any less important performers this season.

Added strength
It is a frightening prospect for both Arsenal and Manchester United (who trailed Mourinho's team by 12 and 18 points respectively) and for every other Premiership side. Mourinho is not the type to rest on his laurels and it will not be easy for any side to take points from Chelsea, most of all their first opponents Wigan Athletic FC, who are experiencing top-flight football for the first time in their 73-year history. Sunderland AFC and West Ham United FC are the other promoted clubs hoping to avoid a swift return to the Championship.

Wigan first
Arsenal have signed Aliaksandr Hleb from VfB Stuttgart and their array of young talent will be stronger and another year more mature. But they are bound to miss - in the short term at least - the influence of skipper Patrick Vieira who has signed for Juventus FC, and Sol Campbell as he misses the early weeks of the season through injury.

Vieira a miss
United have corrected a problem that has been self-evident for the past two seasons with the acquisition of Dutch international goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar. It was also a timely boost when Rio Ferdinand finally ended speculation over his future by agreeing a new four-year contract, while it can only be to United's benefit if Korean international Park Ji-Sung can replicate the form he showed for PSV Eindhoven in last season's UEFA Champions League.

Contrasting fortunes
United begin on Saturday away to Everton FC, two sides with contrasting Champions League fortunes this week, while Arsenal start their campaign at home to Newcastle United FC a day later. Liverpool FC, whose Premiership record was in marked contrast to their victorious European adventure, have been spending heavily, notably when paying Southampton FC €10.1m for striker Peter Crouch.

Spurs signings
Tottenham Hotspur FC continued their policy of recruiting the best young English talent by signing Tom Huddlestone, Wayne Routledge and Aaron Lennon in addition to Dutch international Edgar Davids. Newcastle United FC captain Alan Shearer is preparing for his final season as a player, while Blackburn Rovers FC manager Mark Hughes, Alain Perrin of Portsmouth FC, Stuart Pearce of Manchester City FC and West Bromwich Albion FC's Bryan Robson are all relishing first full campaigns at the helm of their clubs.

Wembley return
Aston Villa FC, Birmingham City, Fulham FC and Charlton Athletic FC will hope to push for Europe - something achieved last term by English UEFA Cup representatives Bolton Wanderers FC and Middlesbrough FC – although each would probably settle for a place in the first FA Cup final at the revamped Wembley. notas_de_prensa_archivo